Hello Harry franchise director Rob McCue said given the rapid growth of the chain and new store openings, the decision was taken to build a training, development and franchisee support store at the Plaza.

"Hello Harry was one of the first stores to open when Ocean St was revamped as part of the Big Top Shopping Centre redevelopment in 2014, and over the past five years has grown to 11 stores in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia," Mr McCue said.

"There's another three new stores planned around the country too.

"Ocean St served its purpose in our formative years, but with growth comes the need to service our clients and our franchise partners better, and the best way to do this is in a store within the redeveloped Plaza.

"We also like the fact that we will be closer to the new Maroochydore City Centre - with the first commercial building under way and more planned for next year, we will have a significantly larger client base right at our doorstep."

Mr McCue said the new store would be franchisor-owned and up to 15 full and part-time staff would be employed there.

"We are delighted with the new location which is directly in front of the Plaza's high ropes main tower so there will be significant foot traffic just outside our store and we'll also have a massive alfresco area so diners can enjoy their burger while taking in the ambience of the shopping promenade," he said.

National burger chain Hello Harry has opened up at the Sunshine Plaza. Photo Patrick Woods

The new Sunshine Plaza Hello Harry franchise opened this week. It is the third Sunshine Coast store, with others at Birtinya and Bulcock Beach.

How does it taste?

Area manager Beau Spinks treated the Sunshine Coast Daily taste-testing team of Matty Holdsworth and Patrick Woods to a selection of burgers and sides.

"I was tossing up between the Aussie and USA burgers and I'm quite disappointed in myself for going against my heritage …" Mr Holdsworth said.

"I pigged out on the USA burger - which comes with a beef patty, onion rings, bacon, mustard and mayo.

"It was one of those burgers that you could eat with one hand while driving (not that I recommend this). This is not to say it wasn't a small burger, but the structural integrity was sound and it wasn't sloppy.

"Any good sausage sizzle needs tomato sauce and mustard, and this burger reminded me of that. Top marks all round."